Mindframe Media and Mental Health (MMMH)
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One of Mindframe's industry specific resources.
Mindframe program manager Jaelea Skehan says: ‘The LIFE Framework forms part of our induction program for all staff. Action Area 3, Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention, is of particular importance. Improving the media’s knowledge and coverage of suicide and mental illness has been shown to directly affect a community’s ability to respond to distressing life events.’
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This initiative seeks to influence the media industry and the mental health sector to report mental illness and suicide issues responsibly, accurately and sensitively. Activities include media monitoring research, resources for media professionals, resources for community action against stigma, and curriculum resources for journalism students and educators.
Program duration
2000: Mindframe Media and Mental Health commenced
1999: Achieving the balance produced.
1997: Response Ability began
Location
Mindframe is based at the Hunter Institute of Mental Health in Newcastle, NSW and operates as a national initiative. Over 3,000 media professionals receive regular Mindframe updates.
Aim
Mindframe aims to build a collaborative relationship with the Australian news media to enable a more accurate and sensitive portrayal of suicide and mental health issues.
Activities
Mindframe develops resources for:
- media professionals
- journalism students and lecturers
- mental health and suicide prevention professionals
- stage and screen writers
- police
- courts
Mindframe also facilitates:
- resource development
- discussion
- media briefings
- literature reviews
- responsible reporting.
Model
The Mindframe model includes:
- conducting a national and international evidence-based review
- developing resources by engaging leading sector professionals
- developing key partnerships with peak organisations
- actively distributing resources via conferences, post and online
- face-to-face meetings and training
- ongoing follow-up and evaluation.
Lessons learnt
- Meaningful partnerships are the key to engaging people outside of the mental health sector.
- Encourage media organisations to develop real partnerships with mental health organisations.
Evaluation information
Evaluation is conducted on an ongoing basis covering:
- internally conducted computer-assisted telephone interviews
- follow-up phone calls
- evaluation surveys following training sessions
- external media monitoring.
Umbrella organisation
Hunter Institute of Mental Health NSW.
Project partners
Mindframe key partnerships:
- non-government organisations e.g. SANE Australi, Multicultural Mental Health Australia, Auseinet
- Australian universities offering a journalism course
- media outlets e.g. Fairfax and News Limited
- Australian Writer’s Guild
- national, state and territory government health departments.
Resources
Mindframe have an extensive range of online and print resources for media, mental health professionals, police, courts, and stage and screen which can be easily accessed from the Mindframe website.
Contact
Visit the Mindframe website , email mindframe@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4923 6780.